Question

Analyze the given diagram of the carbon cycle. An image of carbon cycle is shown. The sun, a cloud, two trees, one towards left and the other towards right, an animal, lake, and a factory are included. Arrow A points from the sun to the left tree. Arrow B points from the air above the clouds to the left tree. Arrow C points from the factory towards the air above the clouds. Arrow D points from the air to the lake labeled Carbonates in Water. Arrow E points from the label Dead Organism under the animal to label Fossils and Fossil Fuels. Arrow F points from the right tree to the air. Part 1: Which process does arrow A represent? Part 2: Which type of energy transformation does arrow A represent? Part 3: Justify why this process is a recycling of carbon in the carbon cycle.

Answer 1

A cycle in which the carbon atom travels and flows continuously from the planets' surface towards the atmosphere and vice versa is called a carbon cycle. It is a part of the biogeochemical cycle in which the carbon flows through the hydrosphere, geosphere, atmosphere and biosphere.

Analysis of the carbon cycle:

1. The process of photosynthesis is represented by the arrow A. According to the diagram, the sun energy is passed and absorbed by the tree which uses it in preparing food that is glucose and oxygen.

2. Arrow A represents the solar energy getting transformed into chemical energy. The energy from the sun is used by the plants to make up organic and inorganic substances like sugar and oxygen.

3. The process recycles the carbon as the plants utilize the carbon dioxide from the air to make the products of photosynthesis but then it also releases the carbon dioxide in the form of biomass produced.

Thus, this diagram represents the carbon cycle.